South Africans stranded as limited flights resume

South Africans who were hoping to return home this weekend had their hopes temporarily dashed after all emergency repatriation flights from Dubai were suspended following drone attacks; however, operations have since resumed. According to CNN, passengers were told to take shelter as drones were intercepted close to the airport. A Dubai Airports spokesperson told the outlet that operations have once again resumed from both Dubai International and Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International.

South Africans in the region hoping to exit have already faced significant pressure as the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has not indicated any plans to charter a plan to repatriate citizens. Instead, the department has urged South African expats and tourists to return home on commercial flights. Such flights are very limited and are subject to cancellation or delays due to the ever-changing nature of the conflict.

At King Shaka International Airport on Saturday morning, the two airline counters were lifeless. Airport Company South Africa (Acsa) told The Witness that no flights from the two airlines are expected to land or depart from King Shaka International Airport on Saturday. A staffer at one of the airlines said that she has become used to the unprecedented pause of operations as the conflict has been raging for a week. She said traffic would likely increase rapidly once some form of peace is restored in the region, as South Africa has not yet decided to charter private planes to repatriate its citizens.